Super Sunday sees drama at its peak in the Barclays Premier League
Super Sunday lived up to expectations as every penny spent on matches was worth it. The match day was probably the most dramatic and exciting in the league so far. Even with fixtures like the Merseyside Derby and Chelsea versus Manchester United no one would have expected so much action and intensity.
Everton vs Liverpool
In the first Derby of the season the bragging rights were shared as Everton hung on to a draw after coming behind from a 2 goal deficit. The match ended in a 2-2 draw with all the goals scored in the first half and within 20 minutes.
Liverpool took the lead after Baines deflected a Suarez drive into his own net; it was a very unfortunate goal for the Blues. The Uruguayan who had come under heavy criticism recently for his diving instincts celebrated by diving in front of the Everton bench. Six minutes later it was Suarez one again who was in the middle of the action as he headed one in of a set piece taken by Gerrard. Everton pulled on back within two minutes as Osman volleyed a goal in after stand in goal keeper Brad Jones parried the ball of poorly from a corner. Everton continued to apply pressure and scored in the 35th minute through Naismith. In the build up for the goal Everton had a throw in quickly taken by Mirallas, the throw in was actually Liverpool’s.
In the second half Liverpool changed their tactics with 3 center backs and two wing backs. Coates was brought in to deal with the aerial threat posed by Fellaini. 19 year old Andre Wisom found Derby match hard to deal with as he struggled to keep the ball. Liverpool also replaced Sahin with Shelvey. Everton were forced to replace Mirallas through an injury.
Liverpool got the first big chance in the second half when Raheem Sterling was one on one with the goal keeper after a brilliant one two and a through by Jose Enrique. Sterling was confused on cutting it back to Suarez or shooting it and ended up rolling it wide of the post.
The match grew in intensity and during injury time Liverpool appeared to have scored the winner in the last minute after Gerrard took a free kick and Coates headed it into the path of Suarez who booted it in. The referee signaled off side when replays showed that it was a clear goal.
The match was full of intensity and physicality as both teams went for the ball. Liverpool were lucky not to go down to ten men after Sterling escaped a second yellow card. He got his first through a harsh decision and the referee decided against the second. Suarez was also lucky to get only a yellow for his tackle on Distin.
The match proved that Merseyside Derby is still high on intensity.
Southampton vs Tottenham
The match looked like a straight forward one for AVB’s side after coming from a tough fixture against Chelsea last week. Spurs took the lead in the 15th minute through Gareth Bale and then extended their lead through American Clit Dempsey. The match looked very one sided in the first half. The Southampton manager must have had some words to say and that made a difference as they looked and played like an entirely different team. They scored their first in the 66th minute through Rodriguez. Spurs managed to hold on to the lead and get the three points that now takes them into the top 4.
Newcastle United vs West Bromwich
West Brom have been the surprise package this season with some amazing performances that have caught the eyes of many worldwide. Newcastle took the lead through Demba Ba in the 35th minute and the score remained unaltered till the 55th minute when Lukaku on loan from Chelsea scored the equalizer. The match was headed for a draw but one man though otherwise as Pappis Cisse scored the inner late into the injury time.
Chelsea vs Manchester United
This will be a match that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons as Chelsea lost their first match of the season in the league. The result now reduces the gap between Chelsea and Manchester United and City to just one point and United second on goal difference.
Chelsea went behind in the 4th minute through a David Luiz own goal. United doubled their lead in the 12th minute through a brilliant finish by Robin Van Persie. Chelsea from that point onwards showed why they are the European Champions and the league toppers. They put the pressure on United with a lot of shots on goal. De Gea kept them on bay through an unconventional save from a David Luiz free kick. Chelsea kept on attacking and Torres and Cahill headed one each on target only for De Gea to save them. Chelsea had a goal coming and it eventually came through a free kick from Juan Mata. Evans almost scored an own goal for United as he hit the post of and attempted clearance. Fernando Torres was given a yellow card for a foul on Evans, the significance of that card would only be known later.
Chelsea continued their dominance In the second half and eventually got the equalizer after a brilliant play by Juan Mata which was then headed in by Ramires assisted by Oscar. The match changing moment came in the 63rd minute when Right Back Ivanovic was shown a straight red card for a foul on Young who was through on goal. The decision was very harsh as there seemed to be very little contact. Chelsea were then forced to replace Oscar with young Spaniard Right Back Cesar Azpilicueta. Six minutes later Chelsea were down one more man when Fernando Torres was shown a second yellow card for diving. The decision once again was very harsh as there might have been contact. Torres was sent off just before he was to be substituted with Sturridge. Chelsea were now forced to defend and subbed Ryan Bertand for Juan Mata. Chelsea were still holding onto the draw when Peter Cech made an amazing save from a Robin Van Persie shot, ball seemed to be rolling in despite the save but eventually hit the post. Cech cleared his line only for Rafael to get it. Rafael then crossed it to Javier Hernandez who then stuck his foot out to give United the lead. Replays clearly showed that Hernandez was clearly offside when Rafael made the pass. Chelsea will consider them very unlucky to have lost the match.
These two teams now play each other once again in the same venue on 31st October in the Capital Once Cup. Will we see another high energy match? We will have to wait and see.
Tags: Chelsea, EPL, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, Merseyside Derby, Newcastle United, Southampton, Super Sunday, Tottenham, West Bromwich
